Homeless Not Toothless: Raising the Pride and Dignity of the Homeless Through Free Dental Care

Dr. Jay Grossman is a dentist in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles County. In a neighborhood with so much afluence one might be surprised to find that it home to a non-profit that provides vital services to homeless people. Since 1992, when Dr. Grossman began “Homeless Not Toothless” in the Landmark Self Expression and Leadership Program, it has provided over 1 million dollars worth of free dental work through over 30 different dental practices in the Los Angeles area. Each of these dental practices has delivered the care without any financial compensation. Most recently “Homeless Not Toothless was featured on CNN.

One thought on “Homeless Not Toothless: Raising the Pride and Dignity of the Homeless Through Free Dental Care”

I HAVE BEEN HOMELESS FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS NOT INCLUDING SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE THAT. I HAVE MISSING TEETH AND THEY ARE DECAYING SEVERLY FROM THE GUMS. STATE INS. ONLY PULLS TEETH AND THATS IT, SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THEM PULLED OR SUFFER IN EXTREME PAIN. STILL TO THIS DAY MY TEETH HURT, MY ONLY ONES I HAVE LEFT WHICH I NEED PULLED BUT KNOW I HAVE NO INS. TO COVER A GOOD SET OF DENTURES THAT I COULD BE PROUD TO SMILE AND LAUGH WITHOUT COVER MY MOUTH. I HEARD ABOUT YOU THROUGH A DR. PHIL SHOW AND I WAS SO HAPPY THAT THERE IS A PROGRAM THAT HELPS SOMEONE LIKE ME. I FELT WOW THERE IS STILL HOPE FOR ME TO LAUGH/SMILE AGAIN WITH CONFIDENCE. I AM 32 AND CURRENTLY IN A METHADONE PROGRAM, I HAVE BEEN CLEAN SINCE OCT 2010. PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS FOR YOUR DECISION NOT TO HELP ME, I HOPE YOU WILL USE IT FOR THE REASON THAT YOU WILL HELP ME. I REALLY FEEL THAT MY INSECURITIES OF MY TEETH PREVENT ME TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, TO GET A JOB, TO EVEN JUST HAVE A CONVERSATION. IF YOU ONLY KNEW HOW SELF CONSCIOUS I FEEL ABOUT ME TEETH YOU COULD UNDERSTAND WHY I REALLY WANT SOME HELP,WHY I NEED HELP. I KNOW THINGS COULD BE WORSE BUT I ALSO KNOW THINGS COULD BE BETTER. AND I AM NOT A VAIN PERSON,I JUST MISS MY SMILE AND MY LAUGH. I MISS IT ! MY NAME IS ANGELA DEPONTE MY AGE IS 33. I CAN STILL MAKE A LIFE FOR MYSELF AND THAT IS WHAT I HOLD ON TOO. I HAVE FAITH IN GOD.
PLEASE CONTACT NE THROUGH MY FRIENDS E-MAIL TO LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP ME OUT SOMEWAY. I AM STAYING IN WESTHAVEN, CT06516, MY PARENTS ADDRESS IS C/O DEBI KEOUGH 285 SAVIN AVE. APT.A-3 WESTHAVEN, CT O6516. YOU CAN CONTACT ME THROUGH MAIL IF NEED BE OR MY FRIENDS E-MAIL. THANKYOU SO VERY MUCH FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO READ MY LETTER. I TRULEY HAVE FAITH GOD WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN. GOD BLESS.
P.S. IF U NEED ANY MORE INFO LET ME KNOW. ANGELA DEPONTE

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Landmark Forum Graduates – Making a Difference in the World

People who take part in Landmark's programs usually go out and take action on what really matters to them. One thing that most people have in common is the desire to make a difference for others and in the world, and thus many Landmark graduates endeavor to contribute to their communities in some fashion.
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